Bajaj Auto’s 4-wheeler project has moved a notch up with the recent establishment of a new team at its Waluj plant in Aurangabad. Mr D.N. Narvekar, who has been appointed to head the team, will oversee production of all commercial vehicles, while a separate general manager has been appointed to look after three-wheeler production.

“The new arrangement is obviously to prepare for the new 4-wheeler since Mr Narvekar was earlier head of production for 3-wheelers,” a source said. In reply to a query on the subject, Mr Rajiv Bajaj, Managing Director, BAL, said it was too early to comment.

The Waluj plant is where Bajaj currently makes its entire range of commercial vehicles. It is also the place where the company has said it will make its forthcoming four-wheeler to keep costs down.

“Several sheds are lying vacant since components, which were earlier made in-house, are now outsourced,” the source said, adding that an assembly line and paint shop can be put up in a matter of months.

Prototype

According to market sources, BAL has firmed up the prototype and is now in the final stages of testing it. Sometime ago, Mr Bajaj had announced that the new vehicle will be put out by 2012 and involve capital expenditure of less than Rs 500 crore. It is expected to be on a new platform akin to the Tata Ace and will be used for transportation of both cargo and passengers.

In recent times, the company’s sales of commercial vehicles, in both domestic as well as export markets, have seen a sharp growth. The new vehicle will add to its present portfolio and bring in a new segment into the fold.

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